First line: Today I signed the papers on our first house!
Why I read this: I love anything by Debbie Macomber and Susan Mallery and so when I saw this, I had to get it.
From the back cover: Knitting is many things to many people
Knitting is a way of life
The Twenty-First Wish by Debbie Macomber
Anne Marie Roche and her adopted daughter, ten-year-old Ellen, have each written a list of twenty wishes – on which they included learning to knit. Like many of their wishes, it’s come true and now they knit practically every day. But Ellen has quietly added a twenty-first wish: that her mom will fall in love with Tim, Ellen’s birth father, who’s recently entered their lives…
Knitting is a passion
Coming Unraveled by Susan Mallery
When Robyn Mulligan’s dreams of becoming a Broadway star give way to an intense longing for her childhood home, she decides it’s time to make a fresh start back in Texas, running her grandmother’s knitting store. But the handsome, hot-tempered T.J. Passman isn’t making it easy on her. If he can learn to trust Robyn, and overcome his tragic past, they just might discover a passion like no other.
Knitting is a comfort
Return to Summer Island by Christina Skye
After a devastating car accident, Caro McNeal finds healing on Oregon’s sleepy Summer Island, where she’s warmly embraced by a community of knitters. She also finds meaning and purpose in the letters she exchanges with a marine serving in Afghanistan. But when life takes another unexpected turn, will Caro untangle opening her heart to wherever it takes her?
My thoughts: This was a fun, quick read of three great short stories. Even though I am not a knitter (although I do crochet), I could still relate to doing something that gives you a sense of peace while making something for others. That’s what knitting does for the characters in these short stories.
The Twenty-First Wish by Debbie Macomber is a continuation of the Blossom Street series. It continues the story presented in Twenty Wishes of Anne Marie Roche and her adopted daughter, Ellen. In this short story, we come to find out that Ellen has added a wish to her list – that her mother and biological father will somehow fall in love and the three can become a family. I love the Blossom Street series and this short story allowed me to catch up with familiar characters while getting to know more about Anne Marie and Ellen – having the story told from each of their points of view allows us to really get in their heads. It’s nice to be able to visit with these characters while waiting for the next installment of the series to come out.
Coming Unraveled by Susan Mallery is the second entry in this triad. It focuses on Robyn Mulligan who has been trying to make it in New York but things aren’t going well so when her grandmother needs her back home in Texas, she takes the opportunity to reassess her life and what she wants out of it. This story is loosely related to Susan Mallery’s book Already Home, where we are first introduced to Robyn. I loved that book and am glad to find out Robyn’s story. I would love to see more of these characters.
Return to Summer Island by Christina Skye is the final installment in the collection. Caro McNeal is injured in an accident in Chicago that leaves her physically unable to take care of herself. She returns home to Oregon’s Summer Island to rehab and get back on her feet. This was the first time I’ve read anything by Christina Skye and I really enjoyed her writing. Here she tells a great story about the strength and resiliency of people. I would love to visit with the people of Summer Island again some time soon!
(I purchased this book.)
Once again I really think that I need to start reading this series! I have been enjoying short stories lately and this this collection would be such a nice read. While I can't knit to save my life (dishcloths are about it) I sew for other people (and myself) and think that I could really relate to that aspect of the novel. Great review Kristin!
Bonnie @ HandsAndHome
@Bonnie Thanks Bonnie…I had such a hard time learning to crochet because I'm left-handed and no one in my family was…I would love to learn to knit but am afraid of another difficult time. These stories are great, though, despite not knowing much about knitting!
I recently finished this book and really enjoyed all 3 stories!
Im a big fan of Debbie Macomber but was somewhat new to the other two authors, but loved their stories!
This sounds like a fun book. My sister is a knitter and actually loves reading stories like this. I will have to keep this in mind as a perfect gift for her — I always buy her a bunch of knitting themed books for Christmas!